Which place is cheaper, Istanbul or Ankara?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Ankara or Istanbul?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Ankara and Istanbul. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Ankara or Istanbul?
Ankara
Located at the heart of Turkey near Central Anatolia, Ankara is the capital city and second largest city in the country after Istanbul. Formerly known for its long-haired goats and textiles, the city has since developed into a metropolitan mix of modern cultures with historic landmarks.
Istanbul
Istanbul is strategically located on the Bosphorus and is split between Europe and Asia. It truly is a city where east meets west. Istanbul is the cultural and financial hub of Turkey, and also the most populous city. The sites are countless and there's something for everybody, whether you're interested in art, music, food, or adventure. You can pass many days exploring both the residential and commercial pockets of this city. Much of the appeal is hidden away along back alleys or within corner shops.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Turkey, The Best Tours for Seniors to Turkey, The Best G Adventures Tours to Turkey, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Istanbul.
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Ankara Prices
Turkey PricesIstanbul Prices
Turkey Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAnkara $91Istanbul $149
The average daily cost (per person) in Ankara is $91, while the average daily cost in Istanbul is $149. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Ankara and Istanbul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAnkara $37Istanbul $69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAnkara $74Istanbul $138
Compare Hotels in Ankara and Istanbul
Looking for a hotel in Ankara or Istanbul? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Ankara Hotel Prices and Istanbul Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ankara $24Istanbul $32
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ankara
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Ankara:
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Metro Ride$0.03
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Short Taxi Ride$0.10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ankara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ankara:
- Ankara Airport & Hotel Transfers: $40
- Private Airport Transfer From/To Ankara Airport to Cankaya Hotels: $40
- Private Transfer Ankara Esenboga Airport ESB to Keçiören Ankara: $40
- Ankara Airport Transfer Meet Transfer: $49
- Ankara Private Transfer from central Ankara hotels to Ankara Airport (ESB): $51
- Private Transfer from Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB) to Central Ankara: $51
- Ankara Esenboga Airport to City Hotels Transfer: $55
- Ankara Airport Transfer: Ankara by Private Luxury Vehicle: $62
- Ankara Esenboğa Airport From/To City Center Private Transfer: $69
- Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers to Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels: $108
- Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels to Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers: $108
- Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Kizilcahamam Town: $185
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Metro Cards$4.29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- Airport - Otel Transfer and City Tours: $35
- Airport Transfer: $61
- Airport Transfer 1 to 6 Passengers: $57
- Airport Transfer Hotel Transfer Istanbul Transfer: $63
- Airport Transfer to Istanbul City with Minivan: $40
- Airport Transfer: Istanbul to New Airport IST by Business Car: $65
- Airport Transfer: Istanbul to New Airport IST by Luxury Van: $70
- Airport Transfer: Istanbul to Sabiha Airport SAW by Luxury Van: $69
- Airport Transfer: New Airport IST to Istanbul by Luxury Van: $70
- Airport Transfer: Sabiha Airport SAW to Istanbul by Business Car: $64
- Airport transfer Istanbul: $57
- Arrival Transfer: New Airport IST to Istanbul by Business Car: $64
Is it cheaper to fly into Ankara or Istanbul?
Prices for flights to both Istanbul and Ankara change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayAnkara $37Istanbul $55
Typical Food Prices in Ankara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Ankara:
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A Quick Lunch$0.23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ankara
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ankara.
- Sustainable Home Cooking Class in Ankara: $75
- Home Cooking Class, Sustainable Tables & Stories: $104
- Turkish Cuisine Cooking Class at Local Home with Family: $291
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
- Istanbul Food Tour 30 Tasting Stops with Audio Maps Written Guide: $8.00
- Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Optional 4 Course Dinner: $25
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show: $28
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Show Private Table: $29
- Dinner and Turkish Night Show in Bosphorus Strait: $29
- Budget Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Party: $29
- Bosphorus Night Cruise Dinner and Dance Show,Transfer included: $30
- Bosphorus Turkish Night Show and Dinner Cruise with Private Table: $30
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Show with Private Table: $30
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise: Turkish Night Show Experience: $30
- Istanbul Night Life : Bosphorus Dinner Cruise - Unlimited Drinks: $30
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Night Show: $31
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ankara $22Istanbul $36
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ankara
Here are a few typical costs in Ankara for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Underground City$0.16
Tours and Activities in Ankara
Here are a few actual costs in Ankara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Secrets of Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $8.54
- Atakule Tower Observation Deck Ticket: $13
- Ankara Private Walking Tour: Hidden Gems & Highlights: $24
- Ankara Private Walking Tour with a Local: $27
- Ankara Walking Tour with a Local: $30
- Ankara : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $33
- Ankara Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $33
- Ankara : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ): $34
- Private Guided Walking Tour: $35
- Ankara Walking Tour: Explore Top Sights & Hidden Gems: $39
- Private Walking Tour with a Local: $40
- Women-Only Turkish Home Dining Experience: $104
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- Daily Bursa and Uludag Tour from Istanbul with lunch: $3.00
- Istanbul Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.02
- Istanbul Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise from Europe: $5.89
- Istanbul Audio Guided Walking Tour 3h and 22 audio reviews: $6.30
- Istanbul Fatih: Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $6.79
- Istanbul Üsküdar: Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $6.79
- Self-Guided Podcast Tour Exploring Two Empires: $6.84
- Istanbul Sites: Peel back the layers of Turkish history a self-guided audio tour: $6.99
- Istanbul Bosphorus Tour With Whirling Dervish Show: $7.17
- 2-Hour Scenic Bosphorus Cruise in Istanbul Throughout the Day: $7.53
- Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise Tour with Audio Guide: $7.99
- Istanbul Bosphorus Sunset and Day Time Sightseeing Cruise: $7.99
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAnkara $9.79Istanbul $9.85
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Istanbul Pub Crawl: Bars, Dancefloors, & Beyond: $16
- Famous Istanbul Pub Crawl #1 Nightlife Experience: $28
- Pub Crawl Original Istanbul Pub Crawl with Party Bus: $30
- Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $78
- Taksim Pera Wine Tasting 3 Hour Guided Tour: $130
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ankara and Istanbul, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. And not only is Ankara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ankara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ankara and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Istanbul would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Istanbul than you might in Ankara.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ankara Expensive? and Is Istanbul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ankara or Istanbul?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Ankara. When comparing the sizes of Ankara and Istanbul, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.